Primaries to be held in 2 Mass. House races

Five Democrats are vying Tuesday for the seat held by former Rep. Stephen "Stat" Smith, an Everett Democrat who resigned from the House after agreeing to plead guilty to casting invalid absentee ballots.

The candidates include former Everett Mayor John Hanlon, aldermen Michael Mangan and Joseph McGonagle and common councilors Sergio Cornelio and Wayne Matewsky. There are no Republican candidates, but the winner of the Democratic primary will face two independents in the April 2 general election.

In Peabody, four candidates are vying to replace the late Rep. Joyce Spiliotis, who died in November after a battle with cancer.

Gregory Bunn and Leah Cole will face off in Tuesday's Republican primary.

Democrat Beverley Griffin Dunne and independent David Gravel are also running.